Volunteers are at the heart of GAWS. They make a dog’s day better, a cat more comfortable, the shelter cleaner and the site’s grass greener. They generally help make the organisation tick.
This week is National Volunteer Week - Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
GAWS volunteers provide vital support to our organisation and the animals, and we can’t let this opportunity go by without recognizing them and saying thanks.
We have more than 200 volunteers helping out in the many areas; dogs, cats, foster care, laundry, gardening, maintenance and retail.
A huge thank you to each and every volunteer for your hard work and support to GAWS and the thousands of animals.
Cats and small animals
We have an incredible team of volunteers who assist our Cats team. Volunteers come in week after week, attending to vulnerable lost cats, feeding and cleaning their pens, making sure they know they’re safe while they wait for their owner or a new forever home. The cats benefit immensely from the extra TLC and daily socialization.
Dogs
We have an amazing team of passionate, dedicated volunteers who assist our Dogs team. Volunteers help by supporting the dog’s day-to-day needs, cleaning, feeding and providing them with enrichment. We have our walking and social club volunteers who provide dogs with exercise, stimulation and positive socialization.
Foster Care
Our selfless foster care volunteers take vulnerable animals into their homes and treat them as their own. From animals in need of rehabilitation or respite to those who have special needs, our foster care volunteers provide extra time and care in a home environment to these animals so they can thrive.
Laundry
With hundreds of animals being cared for at GAWS, there’s loads of washing every day! Volunteers wash, dry, sort, fold and store hundreds of items, so there is always some fresh, warm blankets and bedding for our animals.
Gardening and Maintenance
Like any shelter organization, there are always things to do or fix on site. We have dedicated gardening and maintenance volunteers who are committed to keeping the facility in great shape, by mowing lawns, gardening, and creating a safe environment for our animals, staff and community.
Retail
Did you know GAWS has an op shop? And it is run six days a week by dedicated volunteers. These volunteers commit to weekly shifts, donating their time to assist with sorting donated items, pricing, customer service and displaying stock. Located in Vines Road, the GAWS Op Shop raises much needed funds to helps support the animal shelter operation.
We are forever grateful for your ongoing support.
We can’t do it without you!
Volunteering is a great way to meet people who share your passion for animal welfare, while learning new skills and being a part of something rewarding.
If you would like to make a difference to our animals by volunteering and can commit to a regular weekly schedule for a period of at least six months, have a passion for animal welfare and are over the age of 18, or would like to arrange your student experience with us, please contact us.
Learn more about volunteering at GAWS here:
Find out more